There’s a divide among Republicans as they prepare for a crucial fundraising battle next month. Some members are advocating for the passage of a spending plan for New Year’s, while others are considering a temporary approach if spending levels remain low.
As lawmakers get back from their month-long recess in September, they’ll be up against a deadline to ensure government funding continues and avoid potential shutdowns.
It seems a stopgap funding bill, known as a Continuing Resolution (CR), will likely be necessary to keep the government funded through the 2026 fiscal year. Yet, some conservatives are already signaling their support for a full-year CR, which is essentially set for another funding level in March 2024.
Senator Rick Scott (R-FLA) was clear last week, saying, “Number one, here’s my order, I’ll pass on the budget… No. 2, there’s no government closure.” He added, “If we can’t do it by now, we won’t do it anytime soon.”
Typically, Congress would pass a short-term funding measure in September. This often leads to larger bipartisan agreements that can result in hefty spending bills, which tend to frustrate some conservatives who feel excluded from negotiations.
Scott argued that such a path could lead to a “destroyed, blown up spending bill,” reflecting his frustration. Meanwhile, Andy Harris (R-MD), chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, suggested the option of a full-year CR during discussions surrounding the 2026 appropriations process.
“I have no issues with a year-long CR,” he noted in late July. He also mentioned hopes for funding local projects that might have been omitted in the previous planning stages.
Currently, lawmakers from both parties are eyeing a year-long funding solution, particularly since the government is functioning under its third consecutive suspension. The last suspension was passed in March, extending funding for six months.
Senator Bernie Moreno (R-OH) pointed out that conservatives should oppose excessive spending, particularly during an administration led by Biden, emphasizing that “there’s no Republican to want that.”
He stressed the importance of setting priorities, as lawmakers hope to navigate through this funding maze. Some Republicans are also worried about defense programs being included in any upcoming CR, especially given past instances where the Pentagon was part of lengthy stopgap measures.
While discussing defense funding, House Budget Chair Tom Cole (R-OK) acknowledged the possibility of stumbling over it in future negotiations. He mentioned the preference for passing significant funding amounts rather than facing a shutdown.
Recently, the Senate approved the first set of three funding bills for fiscal year 2026, which earmarked over $180 billion for various sectors including veterans, agriculture, and military construction. However, plans for the Commerce Department’s funding have faced obstacles, largely due to resistance from Democratic lawmakers regarding prior proposals.
On the House side, two out of twelve spending bills have been passed, but negotiators need to reconcile the differences between conservative House and Senate versions to garner Democratic support.
Moreover, negotiations have taken a hit due to the White House’s recent decision to move funds around and statements from budget officials, raising concerns among Democrats about engaging in regular spending discussions with their Republican counterparts amidst an administration that has taken unilateral actions previously.
On this note, Senator Chris Murphy (D-NJ) articulated skepticism about trusting this administration to uphold any agreements made, given the perceived illegality in their operations.
However, some members agree that passing the necessary bills is key to preventing a year-long CR in the future. Senator John Haven (R-ND) underscored the importance of Congress actively engaging in the funding process to avoid further complications.
The Senate Budget Committee recently advanced over $1 trillion in government funding proposals for the fiscal year 2026, which includes substantial allocations for defense and education sectors.
Chair Susan Collins (R-ME) reported that the committee is aiming to move forward with these bills. Meanwhile, some Senate members are working to finalize packages ahead of next month’s looming deadline.
Senator Tammy Baldwin, a senior Democrat on the relevant subcommittee, referenced similar bipartisan efforts from 2019, indicating a desire to move bills forward, particularly for defense funding, which currently lacks a continuing resolution.
